Buffalo's Basilica

The Fountain of Compassion and Giving

Our Lady of Victory Basilica,Buffalo, NY

One of the many places of Prayer in Upstate NY. Our Lady of Victory Basilica & National Shrine in Buffalo NY offers a soulful connection with Mother Earth at place that has been a well spring of love, compassion and giving to those in need. Located at 767 Ridge Road at the corner of Ridge Road and South Park Ave (Rte 62) in Buffalo, the church is both a local and national monument. More importantly it was the home of Buffalo’s beloved Father Baker who provided for countless infants and children orphaned during western NY’s boom in the late 19th and early 20th century.

A Great Soul In surveying sacred sites for Mother Earth Prayers, I have consistently found that great souls lived near, were drawn to, or had epiphanies at precious pieces of Mother Earth’s soul. There was Gerrit Smith who the NY Times called one of the greatest Reformers of the 19th century, the leaders of the women’s movement, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage, leaders of the Underground Railroad such as Harriet Tubman and Fredrick Douglas. There were those who had epiphanies like Clara Barton (Dansville) that started the American Red Cross and Thomas Merton (Olean) who became a Trappist monk. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 brought an economic boom and with it hardship as thousands of children were orphaned. In response the Catholic Church constructed several orphanages in the 1850’s, one of which was on Limestone Hill at St. Patrick’s parish where the Basilica now stands. When Father Nelson Baker took over St. Patrick’s parish in 1882 it was facing financial collapse. Barraged by creditors, Father Baker reminded them that before he had entered the priesthood he had been a successful businessman that stood by his word, which he then pledged to fulfill the parish’s debts. He emptied his personal savings to keep the creditors at bay. A few weeks later his prayers were answered when an epiphany came to him to solicit all the Catholic women in the diocese into joining the Association of Our Lady of Victory for 25 cents a year with the funds being used to help the orphanage. It worked. Within a few years the church was undergoing an expansion. By the turn of the century the number of children living in the orphanage had almost quadrupled. To deal with the growing problem of infanticide from desperate and unwed mothers, he constructed an infant home in 1907. A decade later he had to expand it to meet the increased demand for services by constructing a maternity hospital. In 1916 when the church burned down, the 74 year old Father Baker put forth a plan to construct a large Basilica that would rival anything in Europe. Father Baker consecrated the opening of the Basilica on May 25, 1926, a few months later the Pope elevated it to the status of a minor Basilica. During the depression Father Baker became known as the “Padre for the Poor” as it was estimated that the church served 500,000 free meals from 1930 to 1933. He passed away on July 29, 1936. His funeral was attended by 300,000 to 500,000 people.

Experiencing the Basilica The Basilica sits on numerous stacked fields of consciousness. Stacked fields of consciousness are much more potent because they are stacked upon each other. Having 4 fields stacked upon so far from the heart of Mother Earth’s soul which is the Rochester Utica corridor is very impressive. The only other place I have found several stacked fields in western NY is Valentine Flats in the Zoar Valley that has a stacked field of 3. I must caution that the vibe, thought forms (geographic samskaras) in the church is not the greatest in places. Negative geographic samskaras are problematic because they can drain you. People bring their problems and negative thoughts where ever they go and unless a lot of meditating is occurring at a location, the samskaras can be negative. However, I would not let this deter you from visiting and secondly, a group of us have begun actively meditating there which will ultimately enhance the space. There is a stacked field (4)located in the western set of pews numbered 50 to 60 at one end and 142 to 160 at the other end. This is also the area that does not have the best vibe. Off the beaten path are several locations that have stacked fields of 3(still very good) and all have okay to good geographic samskaras. You should bring a cushion to meditate on because there are no pews to sit on in these areas.1)On the west side of the church in front of the picture of the Infant Jesus towards the middle is a great place. If you were only going to pray/meditate/contemplate in one area this would be it.2)The prayer area in front of St. Patrick’s towards the front on the west side is another nice place. The area in the middle a little away from the kneeling area is place to stand or put your cushion down.3)The other stacked field of (3) is located on the east side of the church in front of the lectern.

Help us Make Another Beacon Brighter We encourage you to visit Basilica to spiritually grow and connect with the divine. We ask that you also please go there and add to the love that is there and help transform it into an even brighter beacon of compassion, divinity and inspiration. Several of us are making an effort across upstate NY to make city sanctuaries places of hope and love, especially during these difficult times. When you meditate and pray at a place, over time Mother Earth responds by sending some love and enhancing the space through a variety of means. That transformation becomes palpable over time, even to those not sensitive to Mother Earth. It also becomes an even brighter beacon for people to feel inspired, to find hope and to communicate with the divine. The Basilica is our place in Buffalo. In Syracuse we are adding to the love at Plymouth Congregation. We are still looking for an indoor facility in Rochester, Utica and Albany. If you would like to join us for a group meditation in Buffalo or Syracuse email me your contact information.

Visiting the Basilica The Basilica is located at 767 Ridge Road at the corner of Ridge Road and South Park Ave (Rte 62) in Buffalo just north of Lackawanna. There is plenty of parking behind the Basilica. The Basilica is open 7 days a week from 7AM to 7PM. There are daily services in the morning, at lunch time and in the evening and more on Sundays. Check for hours and services at information. Story of our lady of Victory and Father Baker history. Church Website. If you would like to join us for a group meditation please email me. Peace,In emailing me make sure to change (at) to @ in the address header: madis senner Madis Senner

Henrietta United Church of Christ (UCC)

http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/sacredhenrietta.html

Henrietta United Church of Christ (UCC)
One of the many places of Prayer in Upstate NY.

The grounds of the Henrietta UCC provide an opportunity for a soulful connection with Mother Earth. The church is located at 1400 Lehigh Station Rd, Henrietta, NY about 10 miles south of Rochester.

A Contemplative Walk
There are numerous fields of consciousness and the spiritual embers of Native American ceremonial sites located on the grounds. I would suggest a contemplative walk going clockwise beginning at the west side of the church by the maple trees, about 20-30 feet east of the sidewalk. Stay 20-30 feet east of the sidewalk going north and you will cross several fields of consciousness.
About 20-30 feet before the field ends and meets a roundabout, turn right. Keep going east until you are about 30-40 feet away from the property lines of the houses ahead of you. Turn right again staying a good 30-40 feet away from the boundary line heading back towards the church.
On the way back to the church you will be crossing several fields of consciousness, a field of energy vortexes and several un-marked Native American ceremonial sites. The physical trappings of the ceremonial sites are gone but a good vibe remains ( a very positive geographic samskara). They are located closer to church.
As you get closer to the church an opening will on your left (east). This area along with the eastern side of the church contains several stacked fields of consciousness (2). I would suggest finding a place that you like and sit down to meditate, contemplate or pray there.
On the left you will see willow tree and crabapple tree. The stacked field is located between the two of them. It begins about 5 feet east of them and extends 20-30 feet due east.
The other stacked field can be found by the red maples on the east side of the church. Three maples run north-south and another one is due east of the northern most maple. The field stretches east-west from the northern most maple to the one going east. It stretches north south from the northern most maple to the one south of it. Spend some time there and soak in the love.

If you go
Go whenever you want there are no fences or other barriers. Services are held on Sundays and the church in the UCC tradition, has a variety of community programs and outreach. The Henrietta UCC is located at 1400 Lehigh Station Rd, Henrietta, NY

Vivekananda’s Light House

Friends,

For some time you have heard me tell about the transformative power of Mother Earth’s soul in Upstate NY. Swami Vivekananda, one of Hinduism most famous teachers and mystics, as his biography notes had a major metamorphosis that brought him enlightenment, spiritual gifts and the highest level of Samadhi while staying in upstate NY. Those features of Mother Earth that helped with his transformation can still be found at this cottage in the Thousand Islands. The cottage will be open for daily group meditations until Labor Day weekend.

Peace,
Madis Senner
http://www.motherearthprayers.org/



http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/sacredvivekananda.html

Vivekananda’s Light House, Wellesley Island,

Thousand Island Park, New York

One of the many places of Prayer in Upstate NY.

In summer of 1893 Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga and vendanta to the west when he addressed the World’s Parliament of Religions at the Chicago World’s Fair(Click to Hear Speech). His “sisters and brothers” introduction instead of ladies and gentlemen led to a two minute standing ovation and a star was born. For the next four years he would travel around the western world teaching seminars and educating people about Hinduism and the universality of all religions.
In the summer of 1895 he came to the Thousand Islands Park on Wellesley Island on the St. Lawrence Seaway to teach for seven weeks. Vivekananda was the most noted devotee of Sri Ramakrishna who advocated the universality of religions and the necessity to experience God first hand so that one could learn about God. He felt that all paths led to God and one just needed to select one and follow it. Ramakrishna is credited by many for reviving Hinduism in the 19th century and is considered by many of his devotees as being an avatar, or incarnation of God. Both Ramakrishna and Vivekananda were mystics in the truest sense of the word.
Miss Elizabeth Dutcher’s (a student) cottage where Swami Vivekananda spent the seven weeks was acquired by the Ramakrishna—Vivekananda Center of NY in 1946. The cottage is surrounded by several divine aspects of Mother Earth’s soul and contains numerous fields of consciousness. The prayers and meditations of the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, who spend the summer months there, have kept it a bright beacon of God’s light and love. The cottage provides a unique opportunity for people living in the NY’s North Country and Canada’s Ontario a chance for a soulful connection.

Epiphany and Transformation
Swami Nikhilananda founder of the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center in his book Vivekananda a Biography (1953) said that Swami Vivekananda’s stay in Thousand Islands proved to be a “momentous period in his life” (page 97). Swami Vivekananda admitted that he was at this best there and the ideas developed there blossomed into institutions and movements both in India and the USA (page 101):
“One cannot be but amazed at the manifestation of Swami Vivekananda’s spiritual powers at the Thousand Islands.” (Page 102)“Thus one sees him at the Thousand Island Park reading the inmost soul of his followers before giving him initiation and foretelling their careers.”(Page 102)“At that time he experienced the power of changing a person’s life by a touch, or clearly seeing things happening at a great distance.” Page 103
The transformation and epiphany that Swami Vivekananda experienced at the fields of consciousness on Wellesley Island have been experienced by others visiting Mother Earth’s soul. Clara Barton came to recuperate in Dansville, NY after the civil war and headed off after a few weeks to start the Red Cross saying how her stay in Dansville (where the house she stayed sits on several stacked fields) was life changing. Grandison Finney, a lawyer by training, went into the woods one day in 1821 north of Adams, NY and the next day left the legal profession to become a minister and eventually helped launch the evangelical movement and America’s second great awakening. Similarly, Trappist monk Thomas Merton came to Olean, NY and decided to begin a monastic life.
The transformation of the countless great souls that found purpose and inspiration in Mother Earth’s soul is impossible to document. What we do know is that people like leaders in the women’s movement (Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage), the Underground Railroad (Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, Jeremy Loguen) and Gerrit Smith, William Johnson, Joseph Smith, Annie Smith and many more either lived on or close to fields of consciousness. The purpose of Mother Earth Prayers is to similarly call people to greatness by having them pray in fields of consciousness.

Experiencing the Vivekananda Cottage
There is multitude of opportunities to raise your consciousness, connect with the divine, improve your meditative abilities and to who mother earth your love and help humanity at the Vivekananda cottage. The house is surrounded by numerous fields of consciousness and prayerful places. Chose a place you like and meditate or pray there. Make sure to bring a cushion to sit on because the house is situated on rock outcroppings.
On the driveway side (north) of the house is a single field that runs at angle beginning outside of the back of the house to the driveway in front of the house.
In front of the house is large flat boulder you can sit and meditate. (See picture at top.) It has got a great feel, or vibe to it (positive geographic samskara) because lots of people have meditated there. It has some partial views of the islands and its westerly face offers a chance for some afternoon sun. Its southwest corner where two spirit lines (ley lines) intersect is particularly potent.
On the south side of the house there are numerous stacked fields. Beginning at the end of the walkway on the east side( to your left if your back is to the house) are two fields. Beginning at the end of the walkway going west is a stacked field of consciousness (3) with three fields placed upon each other. The stacked field offers a great chance to feel consciousness, so find a place to put your cushion down and meditate.
In the back of the house (east) there are several large boulders close to the ground where people have meditated providing strong meditation samskaras that will help uplift you. There is a small circular area surrounded by boulders two to three feet high with an opening facing the house. Within that circle is a naturally formed vortex of Cosmic Prana. (see picture on left above)
I call it Cosmic Prana, or Prana(the life force that sustains us) with a capital P, because it has a higher component of consciousness than ordinary prana. It is not absorbed through our breath or through subtle body but through our bindu chakra in the back of our head. It is closer to the divine rather than the material world ( prakriti) that we associate with prana.
A vortex of prana, particularly Cosmic Prana, is an indication of the divine nature of the surroundings of the Vivekananda cottage. I expect that this divine swirl was drawn and created by all those that have prayed there. Such natural vortexes are great places to meditate if you want to absorb prana, or in this case Cosmic Prana. Make sure to say thanks to all those that have come before to create this wonderful spot with their prayers and meditations.

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It said that on his last day August 7, 1895 at the Thousand Islands the Swami went into the back woods to meditate and froze solid in meditation and remained oblivious to torrential rain and is said to have achieved nirvikalpa Samadhi. (Page 104)
“He had a unique experience of inner freedom at the Thousand Islands Park which he expressed eloquently in his poem “The Song of Sannyasin”. He wrote from there to a friend:“I am free, my bonds are cut, what do I care whether this body goes or does not go? I have a truth to teach—I am a child of God. And He that gave me truth will send me fellow workers from the earth’s bravest and best.” Page 105-106Source Vivekananda a Biography (1953)
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South (to right if your back is to the rear of the house) of the stone outcroppings are attributes associated with higher planes of existence, another sign that this place is special. Swami Vivekananda in his book Raja Yoga (Chapter V11 Dhyana and Samadhi) says that there are higher planes beyond consciousness what he refers to as superconciousness of Samadhi. Until you have developed sentience of Mother Earth and fields of consciousness I would not advise spending any time there because you will be unable to sense and absorb what it has to offer. You need to experience A before B.
Inside the cottage is a shrine located on the second floor in what was Swami Vivekananda’s room. A daily satsang and meditation is held there at 5 PM (the web page said 4:30PM). I would call in advance for the hours. The shrine is only open for group satsang.
On the first floor directly below the shrine is the living room. It had a great feel and very strong positive geographic samskara. It would be a great place to meditate. (See picture below.)
To best sense consciousness and develop your sentience of it I suggest meditating on a field and focusing on any body sensations you experience. You may feel a tingling in your hands or feet, or preferably a sensation in your chidakasha or forehead area. Focus on that sensation to give it strength.

Visiting the Vivekananda Cottage
The cottage is open and habited by the followers of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda in June after Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. Call in advance to announce you are coming-(315) 482-3031.
I would check with the New York City headquarters about visiting the grounds other than during the summer months. Telephone: (212) 534-9445 Fax: (212) 828-1618; Email: rvcnewyork@worldnet.att.net; Postal Address: 17 East 94th Street, New York, NY 10128.
Per the Ramarkrishna Vivekananda web page:VIVEKANANDA COTTAGEP.O. BOX 1084THOUSAND ISLAND PARK, N.Y. 13692Telephone: (315) 482-3031
The Vivekananda Cottage at Thousand Island Park is open during the months of July and August as a place of pilgrimage for devotees to visit. Usually those who come visit briefly to see the Cottage or attend the daily vespers and meditation at 4:30 PM.
Thousand Island Park is a small village located on Wellesley Island, about 360 miles from New York City, on the St. Lawrence River, near the Canadian border. Public transportation there is limited and so a car is a necessary. Driving directions from New York City are given below. The nearest convenient airport is located at Syracuse, about 100 miles from the Thousand Islands.
Since there are no arrangements at the Cottage for guest accommodation, those who wish to stay overnight are required to find a place nearby. The resort towns of Alexandria Bay or Clayton (both on the U.S. mainland) are the nearest locations for hotel and motel accommodations.
During most of the summer there are no classes or lectures at the Vivekananda Cottage, but devotees may attend the afternoon vespers (arati) and meditation at the Cottage at 4:30 PM. The exception to this is when Swami Yuktatmananda conducts his “seminar classes.” During the seminar days, the program includes morning meditation followed by Swami’s discourse and discussion, afternoon vespers (arati) and meditation, and evening readings and discussion. Those who wish to attend the classes are requested to seek permission from our Center in advance.
Directions from 81 north 1) Pay toll and cross Bridge onto Wellesley Island and take first exit (Exit 51)2) After exiting proceed to stop sign, turn right and go to second stop sign.3) At second stop sign turn right, and proceed about 4 miles to the village of Thousand Island Park.4) At Thousand Island Park proceed to stop sign (near Grocery, Ice Cream Parlor, Tennis Courts).5) At stop sign turn right onto St. Lawrence Avenue and proceed about 2 blocks until the street ends at Tabernacle building.6) At Tabernacle turn left, go about one block and turn right up the small road marked with the arrow pointed to “Vivekananda Cottage.” (See map below).

Connecting, Experiencing, Helping
While the Vivekananda cottage is a powerful part of Mother Earth’s soul, you will not immediately be overwhelmed and have all sorts of spiritual experiences and insights. Swami Vivekananda spent seven weeks there and would, like Sri Ramakrishna, who was noted for excessive spiritual practices, spend hours meditating. Understand also that the area beyond the immediate cottage surroundings, like most of the world is covered with negative geographic samskaras, or thought forms, that will impede your progress. Focus your stay to the cottage area.
That said this is a divine place and you will most certainly benefit greatly from meditating and spending as much time as possible there. You will also be helping Mother Earth and the world overall because your prayers and thoughts will give strength to the fields of consciousness located there are designed to send light and love out around the world. Approach you pilgrimage as an effort to heal and help, and you may be surprised.
I called the Vivekananda cottage a light house or a bright beacon for several reasons. Go there and meditate and pray and help make that beacon shine brighter and farther.
To see pictures of the centenary anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda’s stay in the Thousand Islands: 1995 Centenary Celebration
Swami Vivekananda is one of many eastern spiritual leaders (Dali Lama, Baba Ji) that have made a connection with Mother Earth's soul in upstate NY.

Peace,

madis senner

In emailing me make sure to change (at) to @ in the address header: madis senner

Rochester’s City Sanctuary, First Unitarian Church

http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/sacredrochesterfirstunitarian.html

Rochester’s City Sanctuary,

First Unitarian Church; Rochester, NY

One of the many places of Prayer in Upstate NY.

The First Unitarian Church at 220 Winton Road South in Rochester, New York offers a wonderful refuge and a great chance for a soulful connection with Mother Earth. Its gardens sit on a very sweet spot that has been enhanced by the good intentions and prayers of its members.
A Great Vibe
What distinguishes the grounds of the First Unitarian Church is its great vibe. Each thought and action we have creates an impression in our mind, or what Hindu’s call a samskara. Samskaras are a permanent record of all that we have done and are the root of our karma. Samskaras attach to us, as well as to a location ( geographic samskaras). It is the prayers and the loving actions of its members that have created a positive geographic samskara that permeates the grounds and the sanctuary.
There are also several fields of consciousness and other aspects of Mother Earth’s soul that add to the spiritual air and feeling of well being.
Transformation, Social Justice, Acceptance
The spirit of the First Unitarian church is in keeping with the Universalist Unitarian Association. The church’s vision is to transform the world by transforming lives. It has a strong bent towards social justice and is also accepting of others. The church has a long history of advocating for greater and good and its members have included Susan B. Anthony and others passionate about social justice.
When I was surveying the grounds the words of Matthew 25:35-36 came to my mind:
“[F]or I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
I think that it is that spirit of acceptance of others that blesses the space.
Experiencing First Unitarian
Meditating in a field of consciousness can help raise your consciousness as your subtle body interacts with it. It is a great way to clear yourself of any negativity you may have picked up. It will get your body chemistry flowing with all sorts of positive reactions giving you a wonderful feeling of well being.
There are numerous fields of consciousness located throughout the property. Immediately on entering the grounds on the left hand side of the driveway there is a stacked field (2).
Head to the garden area south of the sanctuary at the top of the hill to begin your contemplative walk. On the north side of the garden going towards the sanctuary is a stacked field of consciousness (3); where three fields sit upon each other significantly increasing its potency. I would suggest bringing a meditation cushion and planting yourself somewhere along the path that meanders down(see picture on the left). Pick a spot that you like and mediate there.
You may choose to hang out or meditate on the bench in the upper garden area. While the bench does not sit on a field it is in close proximity so that you will still feel its affects.
Walking a little farther you will see a wall/monument on your right hand side. Beginning about 30 feet in front of the open space before the monument, there is a piece of Mother Earth’s soul that is associated with higher planes of existence. You will most likely not feel anything. It is not always found with every field, but indicates that there is more to this place. About 30-50 feet below (east) of the monument is another area associated with higher planes.
Follow the path down and you will find additional fields of consciousness and eventually, as you continue on and turn left, you will come upon a labyrinth.
Developing Your Sentience
Find a place that you like and spend some time there. We have been so programmed by the material world and disconnected from Mother Earth that we have not developed our sentience of her. Stacked fields are stronger and will better help you develop your sentience, which is why I recommend them. Go where you want or take a contemplative walk on the grounds or around the labyrinth. The most important thing is that you try and spend as much time as possible at the fields of consciousness located at First Unitarian or at another place listed on Mother Earth Prayers.
Fields of consciousness will help develop your sentience of Mother Earth. They will develop your ability to absorb prana, Shuman Waves and all the other beneficial things Mother Earth nurtures us with. As you develop your sentience you will also begin to sense other things. For example, when I began writing about places of prayer in Upstate New York and meditating in fields of consciousness several years ago, I could not sense elements of higher planes of existence.
If you go
The gardens are visually beautiful. The church’s architecture has received notoriety in the Rochester area for being designed by Louis. I. Kahn.
The Church’s website is First Unitarian and is located at 220 Winton Road South in Rochester, NY.
Peace,In emailing me make sure to change (at) to @ in the address header: madis senner
Madis Senner
Back to Mother Earth Prayers

Omega Institute Rhinebeck NY

My interest in the Omega Institute was piqued last year when I read about a large mysterious stone pile on the Rock Piles Blog (http://rockpiles.blogspot.com/). Large stone piles can be harbingers of something else at work in an area. The fact that Omega was a major spiritual and retreat center added to my interest. Omega was drawn to the location for a reason.

I was able to get down to Omega (http://eomega.org/) on May 9th. I was happy that I did because it was much nicer than I thought it would be.

As for the stone pile reported on the Rock Piles Blog it was nothing significant. In fact the general area of the pile did not have a good vibe. However, there were numerous Native American ceremonial and prayer circles closeby—as well as other positive features of Mother Earth. Very Nice.

The two pictures are of the stone pile upon which several other smaller cairns have been constructed. It may have had some other function at one time, but clearly it was not spiritual in nature.

To learn more read my review of the Omega Institute (http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/sacredomega.html).

Thanks to the folks at Rock Piles Blog for their post.

Rochester--Sacred Sites Presentation

Sacred Sites of Upstate New York
Wednesday, May 14th 2 to 4pm and 6-8 pm
Lori’s, 900 Jefferson Rd, Rochester

Visiting sacred sites as a pilgrim has a long history in all faith traditions. Unknown to most, Upstate New York is home to an abundance of sacred sites—sites that can help you heal, spiritually evolve, or facilitate a connection with the Creator.

Various cultures have numerous names for Upstate New York: America’s “psychic highway” for its contribution to the social and religious reform movements, the “Burnt-over District” because of the spiritual fires that burned here, and “North Star country” because of the freedom seekers that followed the North Star to freedom, which led them here. Upstate NY has also been referred to as the birthplace of democracy. Those spiritual embers that inspired many still glow here today.

Join Madis Senner to learn more about the bounty of sacred space that sits at your doorstep and how to use its gifts in your life and for the world today. Learn how you can help heal Mother Earth. Donation requested.

Madis is an ex-Wall Street money manager-turned-faith-based activist. In 2002, he felt called to get people to pray around Onondaga Lake; a quest that led him to explore the environs of Upstate NY and rediscover its sacred spaces. His catalogue, New York’s Sacred Sites, can be viewed at: www.MotherEarthPrayers.org.

For more information contact Lori’s—585-424-2323; http://www.lorisnatural.com/aboutus/aboutus.htm

What Can We Learn from Ancient Sacred Sites

Sacred Sites Survey of South Hill, Middlesex, NY

Hypothesis—It is my fervent belief that ancient cultures were much more attuned to Mother Earth and knew how to work with earth phenomena to improve their lives and enhance their spiritual experience.

Survey—NY State Archaeologists(Parker, Richie) have written about the Woodland period (100BCE to !000AD) sites found in the Vine Valley of Yates County by Canandaigua Lake in NYS. Archaeologist and NEARA member David Robinson found several stone cairns(platform) at the top of South Hill, that he believed were Adena-Hopewell. (To read his paper--http://www.crookedlakereview.com/articles/101_135/103spring1997/103robinson.html
They have been catalogued by his friend Stonepilewhisperer at : http://hi-torstone.blogspot.com/ The Seneca people believe that they were born at South Hill and the area contains the remains of numerous cultures.

Members of the Finger Lakes Dowsers (Chris Meath, Jill Gage, Kevin Greer, Lorraine Mavins, Madis Senner) gathered for a survey of South Hill on April 26, 2008. The morning was spent surveying and praying at the various sacred sites in the lower part of South Hill—Clarks Gully. I have written up these sites at: http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SacredClarksGully.html

The afternoon was spent exploring the upper falls area off of South Hill Road near the DEC parking lot. We found several large stone cairns in a bowl area below the ridge west of the falls. Attached is a picture of Chris Meath standing on one of the mounds. We believe that these cairns were spiritual in nature.

Archeologists have a lot of opinions as to why such cairns were made—rites, sun-worship, burial ceremony, etc. As a person who passionately believes in the transformative power of Mother Earth I look at it differently. I believe that ancient sacred sites were either consciously or subconsciously chosen because of their earth phenomena and the ability to commune with Mother Earth at them.

We found that the bowl area was one giant vortex field. I have to thank my dog Pepper for going absolutely ballistic hyper in helping point this out to me. Land form feng shui holds that mountains carry chi and I have found that they do very often have vortex fields. Each of the stone cairns was placed on an area that contained several energy vortexes. None of the cairns had any lines of consciousness (spirit lines, ley lines) at them as you often find at sacred sites.

It appears that cairns were located to tap into the energy. Energy vortexes are invigorating and can give you a quick boost. They can also enhance your spiritual experience.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Madis Senner
Madiss(at)verizon.net

Foundation of Light Talk--March 22, 2008

Connecting with Mother Earth’s Soul at the Foundation of Light

March 22, 2008 10 AM

391 Turkey Hill Road. Ithaca

Join madis senner (www.MotherEarthPrayers.org) for a talk about sacred sites in upstate NY and a survey of the Foundation of Light (FOL-- http://www.foundation-of-light.org/).

Part 1; will be a pictorial presentation of various sacred sites in the area, with emphasis on the Ithaca area, and a discussion of the attributes that make them special.
Foundation of Light— http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SacredFOL.html
Ithaca’s Spiritual Embers-- http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SacredIthaca.html
Danby’s Forest of Prayers-- http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/sacreddanby.html

Part 2; will be tour of the special places (indoors and outdoors) at the FOL. Effort will be made through spiritual exercises to help people sense and feel the consciousness of the space.

The FOL is a spiritual, healing and learning community center in Ithaca, NY. It is sits on some very special parts of Mother Earth and contains numerous ancient prayer sites. It offers a myriad of alternatives to connect with and experience Mother Earth first hand--a meditation room, a labyrinth, a stone circle, a medicine wheel and much more. You will explore these and the numerous ancient sacred sites on the grounds. Whether you are looking to connect with and experience sacred space for the first time, or build upon your awareness you will be helped by the group consciousness of spiritual exercises done at the FOL.

The event is expected to last 2-3 hours. Make sure to bring along a pair of boots (or overshoes) and warm clothing for the outdoor experience.
Madis Senner is an ex-Wall street money manager turned faith based activist living in Syracuse, NY. He writes and lectures about sacred space. In 2002 he felt called to get people to pray around Onondaga Lake. That began his genesis of learning about sacred sites in Upstate NY. He believes that Mother Earth is a living being with a soul and that her soul resides in the area (www.GaiasSoul.org.html). He has been cataloguing sacred places for to go pray at for the past two years at www.MotherEarthPrayers.org. One of those places is the Foundation of Light-- http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SacredFOL.html

Medicine Wheel at the Foundation of Light--Ithaca

Yesterday at the Foundation of Light http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SacredFOL.html in Ithaca, NY I dowsed out (found the spiritual embers of) a medicine wheel adjacent to the Northwest corner of the main building. What was so interesting about the medicine wheel is that the axis’s did not run north-south and east-west. Rather the axis’s, or spokes, were aligned on energy lines. Traditionally many people believe that medicine wheels should have at least two spokes one running North-south the other East-west.

Later I dowsed out several other medicine wheels I had found closeby and they too were aligned on energy lines and did not go North-south/East-west. I never paid much attention to the direction of the axis before.

The medicine wheels also had numerous ley lines running through them. I think that this is a shiva(consciousness) shatki(energy) thing and shows incredible knowledge of how to work with Mother Earth. Ley lines or spirit lines http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/Gaiassoul4.html carry divine consciousness and intersections of ley lines in particular are good places to go to connect with the divine. Energy (energy lines) facilatate that connection--call it the Kundalini principle. The circle at the FOL was created by Spirit Keepers. http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SpiritKeepers.html

The FOL medicine wheel shows a different approach and needs to be studied further. I expect that there is a lot more at work. I consistently find that the Spirit Keepers focused on`aspects of mother earth's mechanics--energy lines, spirit lines, fields of consciousness, etc. Not a pretty view as we do today.

This is the second epiphany of sorts I have had at the Foundation of Light.

I will be speaking and leading a tour of the sacred places (prayers/meditations) of the Foundation of Light on Saturday March 22 beginning at 10AM.

peace,
madis

Ithaca's Ceremonial Embers Still Glow--Just Posted

http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SacredIthaca.html

Ithaca’s Ceremonial Embers Still Burn--Ithaca NY
One of the many places of Prayer in Upstate NY.

One cannot help but be amazed by numerous places of worship clustered together on Ithaca’s east side. They outnumber anything one would expect to find in a town center. I believe that this has to do with the numerous fields of consciousness that can be found in the area as well as a rekindling of spirit planted by Native Americans. Once a place takes on an identity, becomes a worship site, a home, a meeting place, etc. that consciousness remains. I call this a place’s geographic samskaras--its vibe. It appears that Ithaca’s east side was previously peppered with Native American ceremonial sites.

When traveling it was Native American custom to stop and pray or conduct ceremonies along the way. The intersection of trails was a favored spot for this. I often find ceremonial sites, prayer circles and sacred fires that once glowed at the intersection of trails; most notably at the home of the Where the People Gather community in Parish, NY I have found dozens of ceremonial/Sacred sites near where several Native American trails once intersected. Whenever we pray we begin to raise the Kundalini energy within our base chakra; similarly Mother Earth sends her Kundalini energy to a place if we pray long and hard enough there. This energy leaves a dowseable energy line and a very loving space to tap into and add to it. (Read:The Ability to be Transformed.)

“Old Indian Trails in Tompkins County” by W. Glenn Norris (1969 Dewitt Historical Society) has within it a map that shows numerous trails converging on Ithaca with several intersecting on the city’s east side. I believe that several of these trails intersected at Dewitt Park on the east side near the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca. Norris noted that Native Americans have inhabited the area from at least 3,000 BC with the Lamoka. So there is a lot history and spirit to the area.

Ithaca is a unique place that has attracted the eclectic and those looking for spiritual alternatives. For example, Madame Blavatsky came to Ithaca within days of founding the Theosophical society to rest and think things out. See also our review of the Foundation of Light. The following is a survey of three places of worship in Ithaca that offer an alternative as well as a good spiritual experience.

Namgyal Buddhist Monastery

Namgyal Buddhist Monastery, 412 North Aurora Street, is the North American Seat for his holiness the Dali Lama. It offers studies in Tibetan Buddhism and group meditation (Friday evenings, additional evenings and Sundays as well—check website). Programs and times run to coincide with Cornell and Ithaca college campus schedules. Several Buddhist monks with little grasp of the English language live there so contacting the center could be challenging—they are cordial but depend upon the local Tibetan community to answer questions.

Namgyal has a great vibe to it. The area around the monastery is unfortunately blanked with negative samskaras, but once you get within ten feet of the monastery you will see a dramatic change to the positive. This is because of all the praying and meditating that has gone on inside. Walk in and you will feel it. Good Work Monks and friends. This would be an excellent place to go if you trying to learn how to mediate. The Monastery sits on a single field of consciousness that is very nice. A new monastery is being built at Tibet Road off of Rte 79 near Ithaca College. . A preliminary survey of the new location indicates that we will be writing it up once it opens.

First Unitarian Society of Ithaca

First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 North Aurora is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. I know of the church because it is a meeting place for Catholic workers and others dedicated to social justice. The church is very accepting of alternative views and religious philosophy. Check the web site for services, meetings and other programs.

The church office next door affords easy access to the sanctuary. The sanctuary sits on a stacked (2) field of consciousness. Within the sanctuary there are numerous spirit keepers and other Native American sites. As you enter the sanctuary the area by the last pew on the left is particularly strong.

Tara House

Tara House, 101 Linn Street next to the waterfalls at Cascadilla Park gorge is a Buddhist sanctuary in the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition. It offers Sunday morning meditations and other programs.
Tara House sits on a single field of consciousness and has a positive samskara.

Peace,Madis Senner

Buffalo on Saturday January 26, 2008

I will be presenting and speaking (12 Noon) at the Buffalo Psychic Fair this Saturaday 1/26/08 at the Heartstone Manor. For more information go to: http://www.evolvingessenceeast.com/fairs.html

Finger Lakes Survey--Owasco, Otisco, Cayuga

After my talk at the Universalist Unitarian church in Auburn yesterday we surveyed several places around Owasco, Otisco and eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes. It was a very cold and windy day with wind chills below zero—but the sun was out bright and beautiful.

Most of the area we surveyed is covered with negative geographic samskaras http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/Samskaras.html . We did find some places that are worth further investigation and should possibly be written up.

Auburn, NY has some phenomenal features but unfortunately much of the area is now caked over with very negative samskaras. A lot of great souls have been attracted to the area such has Harriet Tubman, Frances and William Seward,…Ft. Hill cemetery sits on an old Spirit Keepers http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SpiritKeepers.html site consisting of several mounds and numerous fields and stacked fields of consciousness http://www.gaiassoul.org/ . Unfortunately, a Cayuga Indian chief decided to turn this most sacred of sites into a military fort. Then settlers built a cemetery upon it. All of which make parts of it quite nasty.

Emerson Park http://www.co.cayuga.ny.us/parks/emerson/directions.html on the northern shore Owasco Lake has some nice features. Nothing outstanding—but nice. Great views of the lake. The vibe or samskaras were, okay for most of the park. A single field of consciousness is found by the trees near the dog run area; a little north of there.
I found one Spirit Keepers site (where they prayed) by the trees. The fact that not a lot of sacred sites existed in an area with such majestic landscapes and FT. Hill was full of them tells me that Spirit Keepers were more attuned with and concerned with mother earth than those that followed, particularly settlers. Today we are all too quick to build a place of worship, or perceive of the sacred, at a place that has pleasant aesthetic features rather than a place that allows for a soulful connection.

Union Springs http://www.co.cayuga.ny.us/unionsprings/ rests on the eastern shore of Onondaga Lake. In the center of the town is a park where a Cayuga village once stood. A few Haudenosaunee sacred sites can be found on the burm at the lake side of the pond.

Great Gully Falls, Union Springs http://www.naturalhighs.net/waterfalls/falls02/greatgully.htm a mile or so south of Union Springs on rte 90 just below the intersection with Great Gully Road, about a 100 feet south of the monuments to the Sullivan campaign of massacre. Several Native sacred sites can be found on the ledge to the north where the falls begins. The area is overwhelmed by the negative samskaras http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/Samskaras.htm created by all the killing and violence that has occurred in the area. Very Bad! One must wonder whether this was the work of Sullivan himself or a place where violence has gone on for eons before.

Long Point State Park http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/108357.html the samskaras were so bad and the wind so bitter that we did not spend much time there. As I have said before, waterside locations have been inhabited for eons and have been fought over for eons—creating a very bad vibe. And unless they have some positive features of mother earth and people that have inhabited the places have earnestly taken prayer to heart they are generally to be avoided. A Bad vibe.

Sherwood—Holland Stone Store Museum—Underground Railroad Site--http://www.rootsweb.com/~nycayuga/howland/index.htm SWEET!! The museum was closed when we were there. It sits on a stacked (3) filed of consciousness http://www.gaiassoul.org/ and has got a great vibe. This place definitely deserves another look and some soulful time. Retired Oswego Historian Judy Wellman spoke about the store and her work in Sherwood at a conference last summer in Auburn on the women’s movement.
The Holland Stone store underscores the notion that people are drawn to place and the place shapes their consciousness.

Moravia United Methodist Church http://www.christumcmoravia.org/ --we were pleasantly surprised while driving through Moravia and drawn to the city center and the UMC church. The church was closed when we were there, but we could tell that it sits on a stacked field of consciousness (3) http://www.gaiassoul.org/ and has a great vibe. I found a few sacred sites outside the church and I imagine that there are more inside. The church is definitely worth a visit and a possible write-up.

Skinner Hill Road out of Moravia http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=skinner+hill+road+moravia&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl is just north of the Fillmore Glen and may even be next to DEC land that is part of the park. It had a good vibe and there appeared to be several fields of consciousness. I need to go back in the spring and summer and take look. It holds promise.


Otisco Lake Park http://syr-area.com/cny-parks/otisco-lake-park.html There is a stacked field of consciousness (2) on the northern side of the park near the water. There are also numerous sacred sites by the water. It was getting late, but the park needs to be visited again.

All said we had a very fruitful and fun day

Sacred Space talk—Sunday January 20th 10:30 AM

Sacred Space talk—Sunday January 20th 10:30 AM

Auburn, N.Y., Unitarian-Universalist Church, 607 N. Seward
http://www.geocities.com/auburnnyuu/

Friends,

All are welcome to attend a talk I will be giving at the Auburn Unitarian-Universalist church on sacred space. Topics to be covered include; what is sacred space, the importance of sacred space, enhancing and benefiting from sacred space, unique sacred spaces in upstate NY and other UUA churches in the area. I will point out the unique features of the Auburn UUA church and offer participants the chance to experience and feel these special places themselves.

Church service is expected to last an hour, which includes my talk on sacred space (45 minutes). Refreshments will be served afterwards and I will stay to answer questions.

Peace,
Madis Senner

PS---Does anyone have a lap top and a projector I could borrow for a presentation in Buffalo for January 26th? If so, please contact madiss(at)verizon.net , 315-463-5369 Thanks.